Dead Man Living (8 page)

“Good morning.” Brian surprised her by giving her a quick kiss on the lips. He looked around the empty room. “Where’s Joe?”

Beth pointed towards the bathroom. “Sorry. We’re running behind schedule. He should be out any moment.” She sat on the bed and put on her pumps. It felt strange to wear the suit Joe had seen her shot in during his vision, but it’s the only one she’d taken when she’d left her apartment.

Brian leaned against the door with his hands in his pockets. “I’m not sure what kind of magic you worked, but thanks. Not only have you brought Joe and I together, but I can honestly say that I’m looking forward to getting to know you the way he has.”

Beth looked at the dark haired detective, considering her words carefully. “I don’t think it was magic at all. I think Joe had a lot of questions that he didn’t have answers for. By protecting me, he’s had a reason to look beyond the walls of his home. He’s figured out quite a few things lately—number one of which is to grab the life you want instead of waiting for it to happen.”

“And thank God for that,” Brian said. “I never thought he’d open himself to the idea of seeing me as someone other than his best friend.”

“I’ve always loved you,” Joe said from the bathroom doorway.

Brian smiled. “Yeah, I picked up on that.” He walked over to Joe and gave him what looked to Beth, like a long overdue hug and kiss.

Beth felt her heart swell as she watched the two men openly share their feelings and desires with each other. Surprisingly, since the beginning, she hadn’t felt an ounce of jealousy, not one. She was the luckiest of the three and she knew it.

They broke apart and Joe walked over to her, placing a kiss on her forehead. “Ready, sweetheart?”

“Yes, let’s catch this guy,” she answered, retrieving her purse from the bed.

“Logan and Montgomery are waiting downstairs. I thought you’d like to fill them in over a plate of pancakes at Ruth’s.”

Joe smiled. “I haven’t been to Ruth’s in ages. Does she still make the banana-nut ones?”

Brian rubbed his flat stomach. “Oh yeah, and they get better all the time.”

* * * *

As he pulled into the parking lot in front of Beth’s building, Joe tried to calm his nerves. He hoped they’d covered their bases. “Okay, now remember, go directly to the shelter. We’ve already had the police evacuate the residents and staff by bus so their cars will still be there.” Joe reached out and ran his hand across the back of Beth’s neck. He hated putting her in harm’s way, even for a moment.

“According to the vision I had this morning, that’s where he’ll strike next.” Joe went on to go over the rest of the plans. When he was finished, he leant over and kissed her. “I love you.”

“I love you. Don’t worry, it’s a good plan.” She cupped his cheek in her hand and kissed him again.

“Just remember, no deviations. We’re not exactly dealing with a stable man.”

“I know,” she said with a slight smile. “Are you cooking dinner for me later?”

“Nope. Brian and I are taking you out on the town.”

“Excellent. I’ll wear my sexiest dress.”

Joe grabbed his chest. “Please don’t fill my mind with dirty thoughts. I’m having enough trouble concentrating as it is.”

Grinning, Beth got out of the car. She straightened her suit jacket and got into her sedan. Joe pulled his truck forward enough that she could pull out of her parking space. It wasn’t until she gave him a slight nod that he pulled out of the lot heading in the opposite direction.

He gripped the steering wheel. “She’s off,” he said to Brian through the wire attached to his T-Shirt.

“Yep, I’ve got her,” Brian said into Joe’s hidden earpiece. “Don’t worry, we’ll take care of Beth. You just concentrate on your part of the plan.”

“I pray this works.”

“Just let the plan fall into place.”

“Will do.” Although Cap wouldn’t let him in on the actual arrest, he did give permission for Joe to be in the area.

The whole operation had taken on a life of its own. Originally, Brian, Joe and Beth intended to execute the plan between the three of them, but with the police involved, the numbers had grown immeasurably.

After trading his truck for a non-descript car they’d rented earlier, Joe drove towards the shelter. With any luck, the police would be able to arrest Billy before the sonofabitch ever stepped foot in the building, but according to Joe’s latest vision, that wouldn’t happen.

* * * *

Two hours later, Joe was about to crawl out of his skin. He’d been sitting in his car down the block, trying to concentrate on Beth. He knew the plan was for Officer Sarah Montgomery to swap clothes with Beth as soon as she’d entered the shelter. He occasionally heard Brian coming over the wire to ask Sarah if she was still reading him.

Sarah confirmed several times that she and Beth were both fine.

Ten minutes later, it happened. The blinding light flashed in his head as the vision morphed. Instead of Billy attacking Beth in the file closet, he was standing in front of her desk with a gun in his hand. “Shit,” he brought himself out of the vision.

“Brian! He’s already in the building. He’s headed for Beth’s office and he’s got a gun.”

“Hang on,” Brian said.

Joe could hear his old partner talking over the concealed headsets trying to reposition his team. “Sarah, do you read? Sarah?” When no answer came from Officer Montgomery, Brian cursed several times. “Something’s wrong with Sarah’s wire. I’m not sure if she can hear me, but I can’t hear her.”

Joe started the car and raced towards the shelter. He pulled up and jumped out, happy to see one of the undercover officers holding a side door open for him.

“Where’s Beth?”

The officer pointed down the hall. As Joe raced towards Beth’s office, he heard the commotion begin over his headset. “Sarah!” he heard Brian screaming in his ear.

A shot rang out, then another. Joe’s heart skipped a beat as he barrelled past several cops to get to Beth’s office at the end of the hall. At that point he didn’t know if Billy was in custody or not, all he cared about was making sure Beth was okay.

When he reached the office, Brian was standing in the doorway surrounded by three other officers, head down. “Beth?”

Brian turned and put his hands up to stop Joe’s progress. “Hold on.”

“Is she okay?” Joe asked trying to push his way into the office.

“She’s fine. Officer Montgomery took a bullet in the vest, but Billy didn’t fare so well.” Brian stepped back and Joe saw Billy’s body lying in a pool of blood.

Looking up, he spotted Sarah Montgomery getting aid from a fellow officer. She looked up at him, her blonde hair hanging in her face. “Tell Beth I’m sorry about the bullet hole in her suit.”

Joe put his hands on his hips and bent at the waist, trying to breathe in some much needed air. “I’m sure she won’t mind,” he said to Sarah. “Where is she?”

“In the closet. I told her to stay there until we get the body covered.”

Joe rushed to the closet and opened the door. Beth sat in the back corner crying. The rows of filing cabinets opposite her looked all too familiar to him. If Sarah hadn’t been seated at Beth’s desk, his original vision would’ve come true.
But it hadn’t
, he reminded himself.

“Hey, sweetheart,” Joe said, sitting on the floor beside her. He shoved a box out of his way and leaned against the wall, pulling Beth into his lap.

She wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his neck. “Sarah could’ve died because of me,” she said.

“Shhh,” Joe soothed, peppering kisses on top of her head. “It’s her job. She was well protected with the vest on. Although she said to tell you she’s sorry about your suit.”

Beth looked up and wiped at her tears. “I don’t care about the suit.”

“I know.” He kissed her closed eyelids, tasting the salt of her tears.

“Take me home,” she whispered.

“Absolutely.”

Chapter Ten

Two Months Later

Beth studied her reflection as she dabbed perfume between her breasts. The low-cut red dress was a very daring choice for her, but one she hoped Joe and Brian would approve of.

Her life had changed so drastically since Lavette’s death. Although being the target for a homicidal madman was the last thing she would wish to repeat, she was thankful Billy’s lunacy had brought her Joe and Brian. Her love for Joe had come quickly and easily, but her relationship with Brian was on a slow, but steady course. Brian had taken her out without Joe on several occasions, and each time they’d grown closer.

It had taken almost a month of seeing Brian before a night of drinking and dancing had led to their first declarations of love, along with their first sexual encounter, but it had felt right, better than that, it had expanded her heart even more.

She’d talked to Joe about quitting her job as director for the centre, but he and Brian had talked her out of it. Telling her even though they hated that she had to deal with scummy ex-husbands occasionally, they would always be there to protect her.

Beth grinned. She had no doubt they would always be there. She hugged herself. She was loved by two wonderful men who were more than capable of handling anyone who tried to hurt her. Joe had taken a position working as a consultant for the Kansas City Police Department. His gifts had saved more than one person’s life that day, and the city was dutifully impressed.

The doorbell rang, and Beth took one last look at herself in the mirror before turning off the bedroom light and rushing to the door. Two incredibly handsome men stood on the other side of the threshold.

“Wow,” Brian said, his gaze roaming Beth’s body in her tight dress.

“What Brian meant was, you look incredible,” Joe clarified. He stepped forward and gave Beth a deep kiss before moving back to allow Brian to kiss her.

“I’m ready,” she announced after Brian released her.

Joe took over and armed the new security system that he’d had installed. As quickly as their relationship was progressing, they had already discussed moving in together, but the three of them had yet to sleep together as a group, and it was important to Beth that Brian be included in any change of address.

“All set,” Joe said, after taking the keys from Beth to lock the front door.

Brian was right beside her as they made their way down the sidewalk. When she felt the hunky cop’s hand on her ass, Beth glanced up.

“I can’t wait to push my hand up under that dress to see if you’re wearing panties,” Brian said.

“Shotgun,” Beth called.

* * * *

Joe tipped his bottle back and took a long draw of his beer. He enjoyed
Social
, one of the newer gay bars in the city—the people were friendly, atmosphere better than most, and if he wanted, he could dance with Brian and Beth at the same time. Not that he did that often. He was one of the unlucky mass of people who had been born without a sense of rhythm. So, he may step in on a slow song once in a while, but he left everything else to the salsa twins as he liked to call Beth and Brian.

“Wanna dance?”

Joe looked up to see a handsome man staring down at him. The club was dark enough that auras faded into the interior, which was one of the main reasons he felt comfortable. “No thank you.” He gestured to the gyrating couple on the dance floor. “I have my hands full with those two.”

The guy followed Joe’s line of sight. “I’ve been watching them dance. You’re a lucky man.”

“That I am.”

Before the man gave up and moved on, Brian pushed his way through the crowd and towered over him. “Is there a problem?”

Joe rolled his eyes. “We’re good. We were just talking about the hot couple on the dance floor.”

Brian eyed Joe’s would-be suitor until he excused himself and disappeared into the throng of people. With the threat gone, Brian visibly relaxed. “Beth wants you to join us.”

Joe moved to the side, looking around Brian to the dance floor. Beth was standing at the edge, staring back at him. Saying no to a woman like her wasn’t an option. He stood, putting himself nose to nose with Brian. “You’re sexy when you’re jealous.”

“I protect what’s mine.” Brian leaned in and kissed Joe, staking his claim for anyone who cared enough to look at Joe.

Joe didn’t argue. He could protect himself and they both knew it, but it was nice being someone worthy of such devotion and love. “Let’s forget the dancing and go back to my place.” He gave Brian another deep kiss. “I’m beyond ready to get the two of you in my bed.”

Brian nodded and crooked his finger at Beth. “Agreed. I’ve wanted nothing more for weeks.”

Beth joined them and wrapped an arm around both men. “Are we leaving?”

“Are you ready for the next step?” Joe asked the petite blonde who held his heart.

“Absolutely.” Without another word, Beth released Joe and Brian and headed for the door.

Brian glanced at Joe. “Guess that’s our answer.”

“Yep.”

* * * *

Brian plunged his cock into Beth’s pussy. They’d all been tested, and it was the first time he’d been inside anyone without a condom and damn could he tell a difference. “Mmm, you were ready for me.”

“I’ve
been
ready since that little finger job of yours on the way to the club,” Beth replied.

Joe’s lubed finger began to circle Brian’s hole, making clear his intention to fuck Brian while Brian fucked Beth. “Stop rubbing it in, I had to sit in the back seat and keep my hands to myself,” Joe grumbled.

Without slowing his rhythm, Brian peered over his shoulder at Joe. “I hope skin to skin feels as good to you as it does to me.”

Joe positioned himself behind Brian and pressed the head of his cock against Brian’s hole. “Ass as far in the air as you can,” he instructed.

Brian buried his cock as deep into Beth as he could before repositioning his angle, giving Joe more room. He knew their first time together would be a learning experience, so Joe’s direction hadn’t come as a surprise. “Okay?”